In the crowded realm of spirit evaluations, The Beverage Testing Institute stands apart as a markedly methodical entity. Literally. They are awarded a score out of 100 and placed onto a “leaderboard” that can shift at any moment, as new liquids roll in.
As of May 2026, the whisky that sits proudly above the pack is Kavalan
Solist Brandy Single Cask. It’s a brilliant, copper-tinted single malt produced at Taiwan’s most decorated distillery. Earning a colossal score of 98 points, this bottling has actually enjoyed placement atop the BTI leaderboard for nearly a year; it was initially tasted back in June of 2025.
Here’s what the judges had to say in their official tasting notes at the time:
“Umami aromas and flavors of dark caramelized nuts, raisins and mushrooms, caramel buttercream, rancio, and bbq rub and woods with a round, vibrant, fruity fat body and a warming, thought-provoking, very long finish with shades of spice cake a la mode, dark chocolate toffee, cedar cigar box, and cherry cigar. An incredibly rich single malt Whisky with dense layers of dark brandied fruit and umami flavors; take your time with this one.”
Take your time you should. Because this cask strength behometh clocks in at whopping 55.6% ABV (that figure will fluctuate slightly depending on the exact bottling you get your hands on). So in addition to the pungent confectionary notes described above, there is ample heat rolling off its velvety-textured body. You might want to consider adding a drop or two of water to your dram, to tame that punchiness. But if you’re a fan of high-octane, full-flavored whiskies you’ll want to try it any way you can.
And that goes for just about any release in the Solist series–a universally-lauded line of liquids from Kavalan that highlights cask strength liquids of various single barrel sorts. Vinho Barrique, Oloroso Sherry, Ex-Bourbon are examplars. They’re all absolute belters and, in my opinion, are each single malts that are actually well-suited to the palate of cask strength bourbon enthusiasts.
As for the Brandy Cask award-winner, you can find it from several online retailers that have it listed below its suggested retail price of $229. Personally, I think it’s a bargain at anything below $200. But if your budget is closer to the double-digit range, consider a newer release from the same distillery. Kavalan LÁN was introduced back in March and retails for just $80. It was born from a marriage of port, ex-boubon, and Portuguese wine casks that were shaved, toasted and re-charred inside the brand’s Taiwanese warehouses. As such, the 43% ABV single malt demonstrates some of those dessert-like aromas and tonalities typifying the Solist series – though in a decidedly more delicate fashion.
Follow along for more up-to-date news on the top-rated bottles from the most prestigious competitions on the planet.
